“Spread my wings and fly away…to a place that I long for…”
Those are just a few of the lyrics from the number 1 ’90s hit song, “Spread My Wings” from the R&B group Troop.
One of the group’s original members who sang that song, Reggie Warren, has died, TMZ has reported. He was 52.
A rep for the group told TMZ that Reggie passed away Sunday at his home in Pasadena, surrounded by family. We’re told he’s been dealing with health issues for a while now, and was even hospitalized for a couple months back in January.
The rep said Reggie was released from the hospital Saturday with the anticipation he would die. Although initial reports are saying that his death is not COVID related, the family respectfully does not want to discuss an official cause until an autopsy can be performed.
On the official Instagram account for the popular group, they shared a montage tribute honoring the late hitmaker. TROOP captioned the post, “Rest Well Reggie. Our brother has transitioned .”
Reggie started out with TROOP, which stands for Total Respect Of Other People, when it first formed in the ’80s, alongside childhood friends Rodney Benford, John Harreld, Steve Russell and Allen McNeil. Russell paid tribute to his longtime collaborator in an IG post on Sunday, writing … “Job well done my brother I will see you on the other side RIP Reggie Warren. #DamnReggie.”
The group of five signed to Atlantic Records and released their debut album in ’88, which saw a hit in their lead single ‘Mamacita.’ They’re more well-known for their 2nd album, ‘Attitude,’ though, which spawned two #1s in songs like “All I Do is Think of You” and “Spread My Wings.”
Fan-favorite “Spread My Wings” was released going into 1990 and the smash hit earned TROOP the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Souls Singles chart.
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Their songs and the group’s vocal ability had an effect on a number of today’s artists.
Producer Hit-Boy, who took home a 2021 Grammy for Best Rap Album for producing Nas’ King’s Disease, dedicated his Grammy win to Warren.
In a post, he shared on Instagram, Hit Boy wrote, “Bittersweet moment for me. I’m dedicating this year’s Grammy for best rap album to Reggie Warren from the legendary R&B group troop who sadly passed away today. I love my brothers Nas and Big Sean. We got more work to do KINGS [sic] DISEASE!!!”
Although they released their final album in 1998 with Mayday, Troop remained friendly, occasionally performing together and making appearances.
Rest in peace Reggie.
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